Here Are 4 Marion County Restaurant Openings | Dec. 2025

Ocala has a handful of new concepts in the works, from a sprawling food and beverage compound, a brick and mortar location for a local mobile BBQ business, a recently opened "Southern American tavern," to a bar and deli with pool tables a little south in Ocklawaha.

Read below to get the scoop.

Four Smoke’s BBQ

Address: 3100 SW College Rd #3090, Ocala, FL 34474

Status: Graduating from a mobile unit to a full restaurant and bar; opening date not available as of now.

What to expect: Debuting in the Paddock Mall with karaoke, live music, and a bar (per recent social video).

Who’s behind it: Owned by Ferlin Hulsey, according to the secretary of state. Business Debut attempted to contact Hulsey for more information but was unable to reach him.

Check out their Facebook page.

The Whistling Duck

Address: 8139 SW 90th Terrace Rd, Ocala, FL 34481

Status: Officially opened in late November.

What to expect: A “Southern American tavern” that “blends the comfort of a front porch gathering with the flavors of Florida’s farms and fields.” Full bar shown in website photos.

Menu highlights: Smoked meat nachos; fried honey chicken sandwiches; fish and chips; a signature burger; fish of the day.

Check out the full menu.

The Inn Spot

Address: 13490 E Hwy 25, Ocklawaha, FL 32179

Status: Forthcoming; no opening timeframes are available as of now.

What to expect: A new deli and bar with pool tables and a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere (originally reported by Ocala-News.com).

Who’s behind it: Registered to Justin Wise and Edward Wise, per the Ocala-News report. Business Debut attempted to reach the owners but was unable to reach them.

Read the article: Ocala-News.com

The Forge

Address: 343 NE 1st Ave, Ocala, FL 34470

Status: Preparing to open very soon.

What to expect: A multi-restaurant, multi-bar complex in Ocala’s Midtown District. Housed in two historic buildings, with container kitchens and kiosks, abundant parking, and a unique liquor license that lets guests walk the site with drinks.

Menu highlights: Blind Eye Restaurant (two-story, live music, 70-seat bar, VIP mezzanine); Ignite (Asian fusion with a sushi bar, VIP area, late-night DJ sets); Hammock Bar (high-end cocktails paired with a neighboring tapas restaurant); custom pizza concept; Just Desserts; Colombian coffee kiosk.

Hours: Open seven days a week; hours vary by restaurant and bar.

Who’s behind it: Owners Joel and Sheila Gibson, alongside partners from Midtown Eatery Group (Wendell Landry, Carlos Sanchez, Santiago Reynolds).

Projected at least 3,000 visits per week, aiming to draw locals, tourists, and World Equestrian Center visitors.

Read the article.